This rearranged B League Division 5 encounter was contested on a well-presented Meath Hill surface in front of a large and raucous crowd. Every one of these 6 raucous spectators’ shrills and cries were clearly audible on a night when Ireland and Wales took precedence in the 6 Nations. It was a double dose of disappointment on the night however, with Ireland and Carnaross failing to win.

The match was won when Meath Hill began to dictate proceedings in the third quarter and Carnaross simply couldn’t cope with their relentless attacks. The home side began brightly but didn’t register a score until the 10th minute due to a dogged Carnaross defence, doubled with some wayward shooting. They were 3 points up when Carnaross registered their first of the evening through the trusty boot of Stephen Flattery. Both teams spurned some decent attacking opportunities before a Meath Hill free re-established their 3 point advantage. Carnaross finished the first half strongly however with the citeog Dean “Rio” Connell reducing the margin before Dillon Fox pointed to leave one in it at the interval, 0-4 to 0-3. Indeed Meath Hill might have been further ahead as they kicked 10 first half wides but under the stewardship of Deputy Postmaster Farrelly, Cian Gillic and John Brogan, the full back line ensured that the game remained in the balance.

Meath Hill doubled their advantage on the resumption of play before Cormac O’Reilly landed a curled effort from distance. Carnaross had goalkeeper Shane McNiffe to thank when he produced a fine double save to keep the minimum between the sides. At this stage Meath Hill began to assert their dominance and carved open our defence on numerous occasions with McNiffe again to the fore deflecting a goalbound effort over the bar. Midfielder Dillon Fox kept Carnaross in touch as he simply couldn’t miss on the night and finished with 3 points to his name including some sweetly struck shots from distance. Meath Hill eventually found the net with forward McGrath’s effort crashing in off the post opening up a 5 point lead that they never relinquished.

With 10 minutes remaining, Carnaross pushed forward in an attempt to close the ever widening margin on the scoreboard. Their inability to convert their chances led to gaping holes in their rear-guard being exposed on the counterattack. On one of the aforementioned attacks McNiffe produced a stunning full length save to ensure the scoreboard remained respectable. Not to be outdone, the Meath Hill goalkeeper kicked two 45s and denied corner forward Liam Day a goal chance late on. With time running out Carnaross brought on a stalwart of Meath Footballing circles. This “All Star” duly delivered and nonchalantly stuck the ball over the black spot for his first of many scores this season….Paddy Stalk will take great confidence from this and in unrelated news, former manager of both sides, Ollie Murphy, was introduced but couldn’t further reduce the deficit.

Carnaross worked tirelessly on the night with the back line particularly impressing in keeping a potent Meath Hill attack at bay while also producing some fluid, albeit fruitless, attacks. Unfortunately their endeavour went unrewarded and they must wait for round 2 when they face a trip to Clonard for the chance of picking up their first victory.

Carnaross made the long, arduous trip to Clonard on Wednesday evening for the first time in almost 20 years of adult football. Indeed this game had a distinct 1990s theme to it with cars lining the sideline, players togging out al fresco, flags being hammered down by a sledgehammer prior to throw in and Ollie Murphy spearheading the Carnaross attack. The travelling men killed the game as a contest in the first half putting 5 goals by the forlorn Clonard goalkeeper.

Clonard began brightly and raced into a three point lead as Carnaross struggled to get to grips with the undulating topography of the pitch. Roaming cornerback Cian Yore shipped a heavy knock, spun around and casually kicked his first competitive goal for Carnaross igniting the hooped men in the process. This lead to an onslaught where Carnaross continuously opened up Clonard at will, with their slick intricate hand passing. Shane Casserly continued the comeback with a point, Paul Donoghue converted a free and Cormac O’Reilly landed the first, of his now customary points from midfield. The evergreen Murphy bagged his first goal by finishing off a free flowing team move that was hand passed the length of the field from a turnover. 5 minutes later, O’Reilly was fouled in the middle sector and using both his powerful right boot and his wealth of knowledge as a geography teacher, he spotted Ollie Murphy had snuck into a hollow at the edge of the square beyond the hapless full back. Murphy rose highest and finished with aplomb to double his tally for the day.

Clonard began a mini revival accounting for the next 4 points but this was cancelled out by the Dirk Kuyt of Carnaross, Stephen Flattery, whose hard work and endeavour was rewarded with a well taken goal after outmuscling his marker and breaking through the heart of the defence. Paul Donoghue was the main instigator of these attacks as he continuously dropped deep despite the protests of stand in manager, our very own Mike Bassett, Tadgh Skelly. Donoghue converted a free and Cormac O’Reilly grabbed himself a major to leave Carnaross leading 5-4 to 0-9 at the change of ends.

Carnaross introduced their full allocation of substitutes in the second half to reward those who had travelled with some action. Renegade Cian Yore, lined out as a corner back but finished with 1-1 to his name as he followed his man around the pitch. Paddy Smith is the glorified postman of Carnaross as he “always delivers” and he duly delivered when he registered two sumptuous points in the second half to further enhance his growing reputation. Carnaross’ corner forwards’ pace was causing their Junior counterparts worlds of trouble and when Liam Day stretched his legs, no-one could catch him as he coolly finished into the corner to end any brief glimmer of hope Clonard held. Paddy Dillon scored 2 points in 60 seconds to ensure he had something to show for his tireless performance. The game petered out in scoring terms with Shane Casserly and Liam Day completing the North Meath men’s tally before Clonard knocked over the final 2 points of the encounter.

Clonard fought hard throughout using their superior physicality to great effect but ultimately Carnaross prevailed due to their eye for goal, pace and guile.

Maybe it was the lengthy journey up from rural North Meath or the long, arduous expedition from the dressing rooms to the pitch, but Carnaross were left flat footed early on against a rampant Donaghmore/Ashbourne side. They recovered admirably and together with superior fitness and determination outscored their opponents to record a fully deserved victory.

Ashbourne raced into a 2-1 to no score lead after a mere 4 minutes dominating possession and showing superior hunger. Carnaross responded eventually through the industrious Pierce Fleming and the flamboyant Alan O’Reilly. Carnaross were wasteful in front of goals and landed many efforts into the welcoming hands of the host’s goalkeeper. The Moores laid siege again scoring 4 points in as many minutes. Liam Day, fresh from his signing with Centra FC, brightened up the day with a trademark effort to keep our fading chances alive. Carnaross were in desperate need of a leader to stem the tide and up stepped Alan O’Reilly who scooped the ball up in his own half back line, played a series of one twos with both his team mates and his opponents before ably assisting Decky Reilly. This lifted the travelling contingent and acted as a springboard for the away men who knocked over the next 5 scores before half time. Paddy Dillon initiated the onslaught with Brian Comaskey winning vital and clean possession around the middle. Decky Reilly kicked two efforts, one from open play, one from a free, but neither with the use of his trusty telescope. Stephen Flattery opened his account after many lung bursting runs at the heart of the defence and John “Black-Out” Brogan registered his first of the day.

Carnaross went into the half time break 3 points in arrears but with momentum and belief firmly on their side, they were brimming with optimism despite trailing 2-6 to 0-9.

Ashbourne registered the first score of the half but this proved to be a false dawn as the maroon and saffron men lifted the intensity significantly. The battle was won in the middle of the park with Carnaross dictating the play from this platform. John Brogan and Brian Comaskey raced forward to reduce the deficit. Liam Day nonchalantly stroked over a monstrous 45 and Decky Reilly converted another free. The strength in depth of the bench was telling when John L McGee made an instant impact converting a penalty after being unceremoniously upended by the Moores goalkeeper. Liam Brogan, Aidan Lynch, Cian Gillic and Fleming were instigating attacks that were being clinically converted with rising star McGee converting a free. Stephen Flattery went on another lung bursting attack consisting of 4 solos and various men in green struggling for breath, which resulted in another point. John Brogan capped a dominant midfield display by driving at the tiring defence, opting for the contact, only to break through the attention of two defenders and finish with aplomb to end the game as a contest. Not to be outdone, Liam Day finished off a sweeping attack from the resulting kickout to the back of the net. Reilly converted another free but the returning Dillon Fox had the final say on the day when his pointed attempt came off the upright and rebounded into Day’s hands who rounded the keeper only to be brought down. Fox converted the penalty and Carnaross recorded a comprehensive victory to leave them on 6 points after 4 rounds of B League.

Carnaross responded clinically to the early setback which left them 8 points in arrears and outscored their opponents by 15 points in the second half. We welcomed back Dillon Fox and Liam Brogan from respective injuries and on an idyllic evening for ball, both midfielders and all starting forwards scored, except Tadgh Skelly.

Neighbours Carnaross and Gaeil Colmcille provided an entertaining tussle which remained in the balance right until the final whistle. With two minutes remaining it looked like the home side were on track for a win as they led by two points, but the Kells men scored a quickfire 1-2 in the final two minutes to claim the points.

The first-half was dominated by Carnaross but they only led by two points at half-time as they were guilty of spurning several opportunities and kicking eight wides during the opening period. Gaeil Colmcille on the other hand took every chance they got to stay in touch. The Kells men led after fifteen minutes 0-4 to 0-2 with the Carnaross points coming from Charles Brogan and Decky Reilly. Carnaross finally made their pressure count on the scoreboard as they hit 1-3 without reply. Stephen Flattery found the net with the points coming from Decky Reilly (2) and Cian Gillic. However, two points from Gaeil Colmcille before the half-time whistle narrowed the Carnaross lead to just two points, 1-5 to 0-6.

After the restart it was Gaeil Colmcille who quickly gained control of the game and went on to kick six points in a row in the opening ten minutes, during which time Carnaross missed a penalty two minutes in. Carnaross finally woke from their second-half slumber and went on the retake the lead with points from Decky Reilly (3) and John L McGee. Gaeil Colmcille replied with two points but Carnaross took the late advantage when John L McGee found the net before Charles Brogan pointed to leave Carnaross in front by two points with four minutes remaining. Gaeil Colmcille persisted and were rewarded when they kicked two points in the final minute to leave the sides level and a share of the points looked to be on the cards. However, it was the Kells lads who had the final say in the last play of the game when they found the net to leave Carnaross with no way back as all the missed chances throughout the game came back to haunt them.

Carnaross hung on for a hard fought away victory played in idyllic conditions in Dunsany. The previous two meetings between these rivals ended all square but Carnaross ensured that trend was broken when they saved a penalty and stood firm in a tension ridden finale.

Killian Porter began proceedings by driving at the Dunsany defence and laying it off to Decky Reilly who dutifully tapped over. However Dunsany responded by blitzing Carnaross with 2 goals and a point in a mere 3 minutes opening up the defence at will. Porter stemmed the tide before Dunsany broke downfield again only to be denied a third goal in 6 minutes by Shane McNiffe in goals. With the outcome of the game looking ominous, Carnaross decided to throw caution to the wind and took the game to their Junior counterparts. They rattled off 4 points in as many minutes through Decky Reilly (2), Shane Casserly and Stephen Dawson. For a B League division 5 game, the standard of football was refreshingly high with both teams playing with a high tempo and great intensity. A Decky Reilly free was sandwiched in between two Dunsany points. Liam Day was then unlucky to see his effort rebound off the post after rounding his man. Carnaross finished the half the stronger side scoring 2-2 in the final 5 minutes. Killian Porter brought his first half tally to three 3 points, with 2 in the last 5 minutes before the break. Decky Reilly finished off a well worked move by finishing to the net with aplomb and suddenly the North Meath men’s tails were up. In the dying seconds of the first half the renegade Cian Yore tore forward and was delightfully picked out on the edge of the square where he nonchalantly rounded the onrushing goalkeeper to finish to an empty net.

It was an intriguing half of football with Dunsany in danger of finishing the contest after 10 minutes when they lead by 6 points, only for the men in maroon and saffron hoops to dominate the remaining 20 minutes to lead by 4 at half time, 2-9 to 2-5.

After an energy sapping and open first period, the second half was always going to be a tighter and cagier affair. Reilly continued his fine form to bring his tally to 1-5 for the day with a lovely curled effort. However Dunsany re-established their grip on proceedings and went on to dominate the next 15 minutes with 5 out of the next 6 scores. Carnaross sole score during this barren period was an outrageous score by Liam Day who floated over a 45 with consummate ease. With a solitary point separating the sides, tensions rose and tempers flared but most importantly Carnaross scored. First of all “marathon man” Porter kicked over a free before” Centra’s main man” Day stretched the lead to 3 with 5 minutes to go. With 1 minute remaining in normal time, Dunsany were awarded a penalty and it looked like another draw was on the cards. However Shane McNiffe dived low and to his right to expertly deny the Dunsany forward and pushed it out for a 45 which was converted to leave 2 in it. Dunsany added another point but couldn’t get that final equalising score. Their final free dropped short for Peter Shay Farrelly to claim and Eamonn Barry brought the proceedings to a halt.

In an enthralling encounter, Dunsany will feel aggrieved to have nothing to show for their valiant effort but Carnaross dug deep when it mattered most to claim a fully warranted one point win. Carnaross played with great intensity and confidence which ultimately saw them over the line. Carnaross and Dunsany will reignite their battle in the next round of the Junior championship in an eagerly awaited top of the table encounter on Monday the 24th of July in Kildalkey.

Carnaross easily accounted for Drumconrath in the final group game of the B League Division 5. Unfortunately the result proved to be futile as Carnaross lost out on a place in the final due to results elsewhere and then the head to head rule from losing to Meath Hill in the first fixture of this group. Despite this post-match disappointment, Carnaross served up some free flowing football for the duration of the hour.

The opening move proved to be ominous as the ball was quickly worked through the hands for Stephen Dawson to blast to the net. John Brogan converted a free before intercepting a short kick-out to double his tally in 30 seconds. The corner forward duo of Liam Day and Shane Casserly who both possess plenty of pace, guile and most importantly sick fades popped up to further extend the lead. Drumconrath refused to lie down and replied with 4 points of their own, 3 coming from placed balls. Further points from powerhouses Charles Brogan and Cormac O’Reilly kept Drumconrath at bay before Stephen Flattery ventured forward from his centre back berth to keep the pressure on the Drums. Carnaross continued to dominate proceedings with further pointed efforts arriving courtesy of Day, Dawson and Charlie Brogan. There was time for some late drama in the half when Day was unceremoniously hauled to the ground for a penalty. Having spent a week’s holiday in England including watching his beloved Arsenal at the Emirates, he stepped up like an assured Alexander Lacazette but ended up smacking the post like an out of sorts Per Mertesacker. However unlike Per, he was quickest to react and collected the rebound for which he was fouled and Brogan converted the resulting free.

The second half continued in the same vein as Carnaross refused to let up. Cormac O’Reilly continued to take the game to the Drums as he scored twice in 5 minutes either side of Day’s point. Liam Brogan took advantage of his midfield berth to knock over a rare point, with the inside of his boot no less, much to Dermot McGee’s delight. Carnaross introduced a wave of substitutes to freshen up proceedings with Ollie Murphy making an instant impact palming a well-weighted pass over the onrushing keeper with consummate ease. Liam Day finished with 6 points to his name after knocking over 2 late on, one from a placed ball and one from open play. The game as a contest had ended at half time but despite this fact, late drama began to unfold. With mere seconds remaining on the clock, the ball fell to the eagle-eyed sharp-shooter Tadgh Skelly who managed to pick the ball up (on his second attempt), swing (not on a six-pence) and score (from 14 yards). The travelling support erupted with over-zealous support which the superstar Skelly gladly soaked in.

This match was contested in a very sporting manner and there were some great scores kicked by both teams throughout its duration. Unfortunately for Carnaross, it’s the 3rd consecutive year where one loss has cost them a place in the B League final.